a development process teaming playwrights with directors and actors
WTA's New
Play Development Workshop brings Playwrights, Directors and
Actors together to form a team to develop new work; hosts peer
group sessions where teams read a scene for critiquing and feed
back; creates a deadline for draft completion; gives
dramaturgical feedback to the Playwright; and offers the
opportunity to have a reading for the most developed work.
The
NPDW is designed for Playwrights and Directors who have
some experience in their field. This is not a class. The participants
in the workshop will be asked to assist in the administration of the
workshop. The workshop is not a service but a program that is supported and
administered by its Participants. The board, staff and program
Directors are volunteers and members of the WTA.
For the 2009
New Play Development Workshop, WTA is going to try something new. The theme is “Sacred Theatre” and we will be
exploring how the process of creating theatre can be life-giving to the
participants as well as to an audience.
The concept of Sacred Theatre is difficult to describe and defies
definition, so let’s just say that it is theatre that engages both ourselves
and the Divine, however we name it and are in relation with it. Sacred experience is unique for every
individual, so you are the one who decides if something is “sacred” for you.
Applications
are due mid-January and meetings will be the second Monday evening of each
month (February.through May) from 6-8pm in the Edgewater neighborhood
(Broadway and Granville). During these
meetings Participants will divide into Playwright/Director teams and each team
will create a short piece which will have the opportunity to be performed in
front of an audience in June. The
personal nature of this process will be taken into consideration and the performance
venue may be altered to accommodate appropriately.
Application for Consideration: All interested
playwrights, directors, and/or actors must submit an application by January 15, 2009
(post-mark date). All applicants will be considered. Please note that in regards to playwrights
only, as the NDPW is being coordinated thru the Women’s Theater Alliance,
primary consideration for participation focuses on: a) women playwright
applicants, and b) interest in exploring issues surrounding women.
The 2009 Workshop is
focusing on “Sacred Theatre” and playwrights may submit either a script-in-progress
OR a brief statement of interest describing why you are interested in exploring
Sacred Theatre (see Information sheet for a brief explanation of the concept). A maximum of six playwrights will be chosen
for participation in this year’s workshop.
All participants must
be members of WTA ($25 annual dues); there are no other costs for participating
in the workshop. There is a membership
application included in this packet.
Membership applications may be included with NPDW application.
For more
information and meeting dates, visit www.wtachicago.org. All
applications & submissions may be sent electronically or by post
to: Katie Carey Govier WTA NPD Workshop 6237 N. Lakewood A3 Chicago, IL 60660 womenstheatre@lycos.com
THE
PROGRAM 1. Brings
Playwrights and Directors and together to develop new work
2. Hosts
peer group sessions where scenes are read for critique and feedback 3. Brings actors on board to lend their voice and opinions
4. Brings in
speakers to lend their expertise
5. Creates a
deadline for draft completion
6. Gives
dramaturgical reading and written feedback to the Playwright
7. Offers
the opportunity to have a reading for the most developed work
The New Play
Development Workshop (NPDW) is designed for Participants (Playwrights and
Directors) who have experience in their field. This is not a class. The Participants
in the workshop will be asked to assist in the administration of the workshop. The workshop is not a service but a program
that is supported and administered by its Participants. The board, staff and
program Directors are volunteers and members of the Womens’ Theater Alliance
(WTA) and all fees involved pay for space rental, speaker and guest artist
stipends, and basic administrative costs.
OBLIGATIONS
OF PARTICIPANTS 1.
Participants must be a member of WTA ($25 annual fee);
2. Participants
must attend peer sessions to be considered for a staged reading. Failure to do
so may disqualify you from consideration for a staged reading;
3. WTA will
be mentioned in the program at any future readings or productions of the play.
HOW
DOES
IT WORK? HOW DO I
FIND A DIRECTOR OR PLAYWRIGHT TO WORK WITH?
Use the
first meeting to talk about your self and interests. Call or email individuals
you want to consider working with. Set up meetings with the individuals you are
interested in. If you can’t find someone after doing all of the above, call the
program director at least a week before the deadline.
WHAT DO WE
DO ONCE WE HAVE FOUND EACH OTHER? Discuss what
you would like your piece to focus on (or the play if one was submitted) and ways in which to bring it to
life. Communication is key.
PEER GROUP
SESSIONS
At each
session, Playwrights bring in developed and/or new scenes. Scenes are read out
loud by Participants (and/or available actors) and a discussion ensues: what is the scene about; what do we learn;
how does it fit in with the bigger picture of the play . . . These sessions are the opportunities to learn
more about the play.
SPEAKERS
In prior
years, such individuals as playwrights, dramaturges, directors, casting
directors and marketing directors have all been part of the NPDW. If desired by the Participants, the NPDW will
contact and provide a guest speaker. Who
do you want to hear from?
HOW DO
AUDITIONS WORK?
A general
audition for actors is usually scheduled; however this is not mandatory. Please note: Although Equity actors may be available;
Participants would need to schedule and pay the actors via an agreement with
Equity and WTA.
CRITIQUE
In prior
years, a dramaturge and/or the program director read the plays and will give a
written or oral critique. The dramaturge may suggest small rewrites before a
reading, encourage major work or suggest that a reading would not be helpful at
this time. (2-3 additional rehearsals are recommended after the critique--
during rewrites or before the reading.)
Because of the 2009 theme, critique will be minimal. Feedback will be plentiful.
STAGED READINGS
This is an
opportunity to hear your script in front of an audience and solicit feedback. Although
WTA will publicize for this event, note that you are also responsible for
creating your audience. The NPDW asks
for a $5 donation at the door from the general public. PLEASE NOTE: As joining the membership of the
WTA upon acceptance into the NPDW, your membership cost covers your individual
donation to this event.
REHEARSALS
for STAGED READING
For the most part you are
going to be sitting and reading the scripts, listening to the script and
providing input with how the play sounds and works. It is very important that
you use your hours wisely – people are donating their time. If a script is
chosen for continued development through a staged reading, NPDW recommends 3 rehearsals of 2-3 hours
in length before your allotted staged reading date. Please note:
YOU ARE NOT REHEARING A PLAY FOR PRODUCTION; YOU ARE REHEARSING TO LEARN
ABOUT THE SCRIPT.
